Day 116 - 8.12.10 - One Last Day at the Beach...

Today Lauren convinced me to opt for the beach instead of the pool for the afternoon of our last full day in Delaware. It turned out to be a great couple of hours sitting in the sand, wave jumping, dolphin watching, and gull chasing. I tried to get a snap of the dolphin fins, but without a zoom lens, the pics did not do the dolphins justice. Instead, this increasingly friendly and bold seagull wins the day... Back to DC tomorrow... leaving is for the birds.

Day 115 - 8.11.10 - Captain Jack's Pirate Golf / Wacky Gator

I think that there is a proportional relationship between the amount of family vacations you take and the amount of mini golf courses and arcades you encounter. Tonight, Lo and I attacked Captain Jack's Pirate Golf and the Arcade at Bethany Beach. I took the golf crown by a wide margin, but Lauren proved that she can whack a Gator with the best of 'em.

Day 114 - 8.10.10 - Babies in a Basket

With toys and games aplenty, the beach and the pool just steps away, the most entertaining item of the day was a laundry basket. Go figure...

Day 113 - 8.9.10 - Right Near the Beach

The beach. The Delaware beach. Our first state. Our first beach. The beaches of Delaware begin with dunes that roll up against the exquisite homes adjacent to the sand. Then a plateau of khaki brown sand, that is just gritty enough to feel, but not uncomfortable. Broken seashells and cool packed sand mark the previous high tides. As you approach the water, a 45% downward grade leads to the crashing waves that pound the beach. The two to four foot waves are modest, but relentless and sound larger than they really are. They rise and crash with impunity, all within a span of 25 feet or so from shore. Tugging rip currents challenge ocean waders, but they can be dealt with, for the most part, easily. Our first beach is not the most serene or the most beautiful in America, but it might be the most "classic." It certainly has the seagulls to prove it...

Day 112 - 8.8.10 - Bayside Ain't Just a Fictional High School in California

Bayside Resort Golf Course rests along the marshy edges of the Assawoman Bay (seriously) in Fenwick Island, Delaware. Blayne and I teed it up early in the morning and did our best to beat par on each of Jack Nicklaus' expertly designed holes. Jack bested us more often than not. Water, wetlands, traps, and forest awaited us on every hole. Landing areas were present, but narrowed and became more treacherous with distance. Wisely, the drivers stayed in the bag, and we attempted to stay on the short grass as much as possible. It was a beautiful round on a beautiful day, the kind of round that makes you want to grab a quick bite for lunch and knock out another eighteen holes... and go another 36 the next day.

Day 111 - 8.7.10 - Jilly's Photo Op

With the rugrats running around, photo opportunities are plentiful...

Day Ninety-Six - 7.24.10 - Arcade On Fire

Taking a break from the sun, Brian, Beth, and I hit up the arcade at the Osthoff. It has been a while since I've been at an arcade, or even seen an arcade for that matter. It was highly enjoyable. Air Hockey, sit-down NASCAR Racing, and the NAMCO Quick & Crash Real Shooting Game were the sources of much entertainment. Brian was an ace at the shooting game... until a 10 year old beat his time record... I think kids around these parts have experience with guns, of the arcade and the real varieties...

Day Ninety-Five - 7.23.10 - Dice @ The Osthoff

Day Two at the Osthoff (Bransen family vacation weekend blowout extravaganza), Brian R. and I forced the girls to stay awake and play dice while we polished off a bottle of red wine...